Although only four feet
high, the pineapple plant grows a powerful fruit. This tropical plant blooms
with red or purple flowers. The many small flowers meld together as they produce
the fruit. Fresh
pineapple is storehouse of many health-promoting compounds, minerals and
vitamins that are essential for optimum health. The fruit is low in calories
(provides only 50 cal per 100 g); contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; and
is a rich source of soluble and insoluble dietary fibre like
pectin.
Bromelain is an enzyme
that distinguishes pineapples from all other fruits. This enzyme, which our body
can absorb intact, has unique and powerful effects to support our health. To
reap the advantages of bromelain, be sure to eat pineapple raw. Cooking or
canning destroys this enzyme. The tougher circle of cells at the center of the
fruit, which is the central stalk or stem, has more concentrated bromelain than
the surrounding tender fruit has. Instead of throwing it away, you can cut the
stalk into small pieces and put them into a blender to make smoothie where it
will be ground up. If you prefer to only eat the soft part of the fruit, you
will still be getting bromelain and other wonderful
nutrients.
Here are 4 reasons to eat
more fresh pineapple:
#1 Bromelain is
well-known for its ability to prevent and speed the healing of bruises. These
blue-black marks occur when small blood vessels (called capillaries) in our skin
are ruptured and blood pools in the tissue under the skin's surface. Some cosmetic
surgeons recommend this enzyme to reduce bruising after cosmetic procedures.
Bromelain inhibits the formation of the blood clots that can block
blood-circulation.
#2 Bromelain has
anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects that counter a range of chronic
diseases and infections. Bromelain has been used to reduce inflammation in
arthritis, sinusitis, inflammatory bowel disease, sports injuries, trauma,
burns, prostatitis, and swelling after surgery. This enzyme may aid in reducing
the effects of toxic organisms in our intestines as well as help antibiotics to
work more effectively when we need to take
them.
#3 Bromelain works to
destroy cancer cells. In fact, bromelain is already used by some clinicians as
part of the chemotherapy process. A 2011 study in the peer-reviewed journal
Molecular Carcinogenesis found
that bromelain was effective in suppressing the growth of two kinds of human
cancer cells, including melanoma cells. A 2010 study in the journal BioFactors showed that bromelain delayed
growth and eventually induced the death of human breast-cancer
cells.
#4 Pineapple is full of
nutrients in addition to bromelain. Some
highlights:
Manganese
Manganese is a vitamin
that our body can't produce on its own. We need to find daily sources of
manganese from food we eat. Pineapple is a great source of manganese. Manganese
is responsible for bone-formation, healing wounds, and keeping our skin healthy.
It regulates blood-sugar levels, and helps with the immune system to fight off
disease. Regularly eating pineapple will ensure you're consuming enough
manganese in your diet.
Vitamin
C
Vitamin C is a 'water
soluble vitamin', which means it doesn't store in the body. We need to take
Vitamin C every day in order to replenish its levels. Pineapple is a great
source to find a daily dose of Vitamin C. It helps in the formation of collagen
which is a protein that grows new skin and blood vessels. Taking vitamin C is
also believed to keep away the common
cold.
Vitamin
B1
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